Keonjhar: Keonjhar police have proved how hard work and dedication can change just anything, be it life or a pond. What once was a stinking pit of waste has been transformed into a rainwater harvesting system with crystal clear water.
Koenjhar SP J N Pankaj in an interaction with Odisha Bytes said that the stench emanating from the pond at Reserve police line was unbearable. “There was a temple beside the pond and somehow, I felt that it can brighten up the ambience if cleared of the garbage,” he added.
The force did ‘Shramdaan’ and turned the pond water crystal clear within three months. Every Sunday, around 50 volunteers would gather at 7 am to pull out the garbage which choked the water body.
“Water scarcity plagues the district, which is at a higher elevation making it difficult to reach the groundwater. Having a pond that works as a reservoir and water harvesting system, can recharge the groundwater, eventually solving a lot of problems,” he said.
A dustbin has also been kept at the temple. “We realized that all the waste from the temple was dumped into the pond. We are leaving nothing to chance and will regularly monitor the pond. Though, changing the mindset of people is a little difficult,” the SP said.
He was glad to see people clicking selfies with the pond, where once hardly anyone went even for a while. “We will also soon introduce a fun boat for children in the pond,” he added.
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